Malaga Festivals

The city of Malaga has many fairs and festivals happening throughout the year that it is really hard to keep up. Apart from the national festivals, every village or community has got their own festivals and fairs to celebrate, and all have their own customs, traditions and food associated with it.

The people in Malaga are enthusiastic and commemorate each and every festival with equal zest and energy, be it the local harvest festival or the National Fair day. Check out the list of festivals that we have compiled as an attempt to quickly browse through the innumerable festivals of Malaga.

Procession Of The Kings (Procesión De Los Reyes)

The procession takes place on 5th and 6th of January, and is a Spanish festivity of the Epiphany. The parade starts with the arrival of the three kings, Gaspar, Melchior and Baltasar, a small child then reads a letter addressed to the kings, requesting them to give gifts to the children in Malaga. The parade takes place at the City Centre and passes through the Paseo del Parque to the Ayuntamiento.
After the procession is over, an event organised by the Post Office includes performances by singers, musicians, dancers and illusionists.

Procession Of The Kings (Procesión De Los Reyes)

The procession takes place on 5th and 6th of January, and is a Spanish festivity of the Epiphany. The parade starts with the arrival of the three kings, Gaspar, Melchior and Baltasar, a small child then reads a letter addressed to the kings, requesting them to give gifts to the children in Malaga. The parade takes place at the City Centre and passes through the Paseo del Parque to the Ayuntamiento.
After the procession is over, an event organised by the Post Office includes performances by singers, musicians, dancers and illusionists.

Malaga Carnival (Carnaval de Málaga)

Carnival in Malaga is one of the biggest events in Spain thanks to its colourful and multicultural ethnicity. The carnival takes place before the solemn period of Lent and gives the people a good reason to let their hair down and enjoy. Costumed dancers, performers, various characters in masks dominate the scene, and the most awaited performance of these is the ‘murga’ or the street bands. The procession travels from the Esperanza Bridge to La Malagueta beach, and here the customary "burial of the sardine" takes place, which signifies the end of the carnival.

CC/MarinGarcia

Easter (La Semana Santa)

The legendary Holy week celebration in Malaga is acknowledged worldwide as the "Fiesta of National Interest", by the international tourism. The procession that takes place during the Holy week dates back to the reign of the Catholic Monarchs.
The atmosphere is charged as the parade consisting of processional thrones bearing images, all decorated with lights and incense, pass on the roads. Hooded and robed figures dominate the demonstration that celebrates art, pageantry, and devotion. Thousands of visitors from all around the world come to witness the spectacle at the city centre.

en:Fra Angelico

All Saints Day (dia de todos los santos)

The All Saints Day is celebrated across Spain on 1st November, and is a National holiday in the country. The day is celebrated in order to remember the departed friends and relatives, and pay respects to them. People visit the cemeteries and offer flowers, especially chrysanthemums, on the grave of their deceased relatives. Churches hold mass for the occasion. The atmosphere is family friendly and people not only remember the deceased, but also celebrate just being alive.

The Night of San Juan (Noche de San Juan)

The night of San Juan or ‘Noche De San Juan’ as it is known locally is the most surreal night of the year. The celebration is held on the beaches along with bonfires, friends, families and food. It is believed that the gods makes themselves visible on this night and the people spend the day building bonfires and in the night jumping over them. It is believed that jumping over a beacon will purify you from all your sins, and you will be cleansed. The night is generally celebrated on 23rd June.

Malaga Fair (Feria de Agosto)

The yearly Malaga city fair is an exciting affair, and lasts for an entire week. The fair is held to honour the re-conquest of the city by monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand in 1487, and runs from Saturday to Saturday in August in its third week. People gather together in the streets, which are adorned with paper decorations and lanterns, and women wear traditional flamenco dresses and dance. The only concern that the people have is to make merry and dance to the tunes of traditional Andalucian dance which is called as 'Sevillanas'. Bullfighting in the afternoon is another part of the fair which is highly anticipated.

Andalucia Day (Día de Andalucía)

The Andalucia Day or the ‘Día de Andalucia’, is the day that is celebrated to mark the occasion that made Andalusia an autonomous society of Spain. The day is notable for its 1980 referendum on the Statute of Autonomy of Andalusia, and is celebrated on 28th February. People in Andalucia adorn their terraces with the flag of Andalusia, and in many places cultural competitions are held. The day is declared as a public holiday and in many places traditional ‘Andalusian breakfast’ is served consisting of a slice of bread, with a layer of olive oil and orange juice.